Akasha began his yoga studies as a boy before he knew how to give it a label. Probably his first initiation was watching Star Wars and dreaming of being a Jedi knight. He practiced martial arts with the intention of being a warrior. Yogi Bhajan was his first living Yoda and his answer to his dreams. Yogi Bhajan’s radiance and compassion fueled Akasha’s desire to be true to his heart. He was taught to be grateful and to understand that the divine lives in all of us and that we are our teacher. These wonderful tools of insight have given him the courage to surrender when his life is too constricted and the compassion to embrace his fears when his doubts and insecurities hinder his expansion. Akasha humbly bows to Yogi Bhajan in gratitude and divine that created us all.
Later as a student in college Akasha was blessed to have the opportunity to study with Dr. Vasant Lad whose love for Ayurveda, Ganesh and life bubbled over into all aspects of his teachings. He showed him another aspect of health that brought balance and ease into his life through diet, yoga and mediation.
In his early 20’s he ventured to India to start a business and family. When he moved to Bangalore, Inida he discovered Ashtanga Yoga and started studying under Viswanatha (Sri Pattabhi Jois’s nephew). Each morning Viswanatha taught with a sense of patience and kindness and he began to witness how yoga connected his breath and body, truly allowing him to be present.
Akasha truly feels blessed and bows to the teachers who through compassion, courage and grace have guided so many of us to our true teacher within.
Daily he continues to explore, learn and immerse himslef into his practice. He resides half of his year between Alabama and Virginia living, teaching, running a business and caring for his son. The other part of the year he travels teaching, learning and sharing with others.
Akasha is co-owner of Birmingham Yoga and director of Birmingham yoga teacher training. He offers several retreats and workshops throughout the year. He maintains a strong personal yoga practice (sadhana) that combines the daily practice of pranayama, mantra, meditation, Kundalini, Ashtanga asana (Primary, Secondary and Third Series) and Somatic Yoga. His classes reflect his personal approach that will include the traditions he has personally studied and practiced throughout his life. He offers a heart-centered class that will leave the student strengthened, centered and aware.
